SIXTH TRIAL

[bathymetric]

Alright, same as every week before this - gather at the Vault Door so my Assistant can let you in. And I can start hoping to salvage at least the aquarium.

[ The Assistant, nee Failsafe, stands in her armor at the ready when you arrive, not saying a word and simply unlocking the door and elevator for you to head on down to the trial room. Second verse, same as the first five verses, but a whole lot quieter and a whole lot meaner.

The elevator is a lot emptier now, isn't it? Your number has fallen yet again since the last time you were here. Feels like yesterday, or maybe forever ago? Time's feeling pretty weird right about now, but trial days are for getting locked into the moment. You're here, you're present.

You're running out of allies.

The screens are the same as ever, though, and lower as you enter. ]

I see you haven't decided to continue to increase the number of bodies this week. Perhaps something to be thankful for, in all of this. Hotshot is dead, and the responsibility of finding his killer falls to you. Hopefully this is all old hat to you by now, no?

[The screens rise.

Welcome to your sixth trial. ]

Comments

[blackmass]

...I was not sure how to warn Therion that I believed I was the one being targeted for this week's motive. Were all my magical and supernatural qualities to be utterly cut off, then I would be dead.

I was killed ten years ago, by a man who shot me through the heart. Something...replaced it. An amalgamation of hatred and curses named Angra Mainyu brought my back to life, and it's...failing. Whatever Vincent Valentine was, he was enough to damage it.

I would estimate a minute or two at most.

[bolderfell]

[W...wait, what.]

Hang on. If you're so heartless, why would you try to warn any of us?

[blackmass]

Because I hate the Professor more than I wanted to kill any of you.

There was something...crucial, that I had to do back in Fuyuki. Something my entire life hinged upon. All I cared about was killing the person responsible for interrupting that, and returning to see it through.

You're...close to it, I think. That business with the Failsafe...I feel that this is going to near its ending. I almost regret that I won't be there to kill him myself.

[nothingcanstop]

[ Della exhales slowly. ]

Thank you for the other day, Kirei. And for not trying to take the rest of us down with you. You're probably going to say I don't need to thank you, but... Well, I want to.

[blackmass]

...The answer to what you wanted to know about me is left in my room. I care nothing for what you do with that information.

[nothingcanstop]

[ yorokobe ahiru ]

I would've rather learned it from you while you were alive.

[blackmass]

Yes, well...if this proves anything it is only that our desires are largely meaningless, apparently.

[nothingcanstop]

Maybe it's just me being contrary to the very end, but... I still don't really believe that.

[fivestagegod]

You are such a weird, depressing person.

[Just saying.]

Kind of a shame that it was you, though, I guess. You were useful, at least.

[It's very "that's rough, buddy" but it's something, anyway.]

[blackmass]

I did find you somewhat amusing.

[which is...about as nice as kirei gets.]